Pelé’s death opened the crack between Brazilian football idols: why the greats didn’t go to the funeral

Crack broke out in the country of five-time world champions. The greats of Brazilian football, those of yesterday and today, are currently the subject of a wave of criticism from fans for not attending Pelé’s funeral and for limiting themselves to expressing their condolences through lukewarm messages on social media.

The former three-time world soccer champion, who died last Thursday after a long battle with cancer, was buried on Tuesday in Santos, the city where he began his career. During the funeral, more than 230,000 fans filed past the coffin, which was displayed for 24 hours at the Vila Belmiro stadium.

Many fans hoped that former Santos players, like Neymar, Rodrygo and GiovanniThey attended the funeral. Some even took for granted the presence of great former players like Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, Kaka and Ronaldinho Gauchowhich instead was seen on a beach about 80 kilometers south of Sao Paulo.

In the accounts of these former footballers on social networks, comments from disgruntled fans abounded after the burial.

None of the members of the Brazilian team that won the 2002 World Cup attended. One of them, the former midfielder kakahe was roundly criticized, having complained in December that Brazilians don’t honor their sporting heroes as much as foreigners do.

“You didn’t even show up for the funeral of the man who paved the way for you to have the life you have,” she scolded. Joao Vitor Custodio in Kaká’s post about Pelé, which generated more than 5,000 comments, including more criticism of his decision not to attend the funeral.

Also on Instagram, Neymar has posted a message of mourning for the death of Pele. And a fan replied: “Easy to say, but you sent your father and you didn’t come.” Subsequently, the Brazilian star canceled the ability for people he doesn’t follow to comment on that post.

No foreign footballer traveled to Brazil for Pele’s tribute, funeral or burial.

Mauro Silva, a retired midfielder, was the only player in the 1994 World Cup-winning squad in the United States. He is currently a manager of the São Paulo football federation.

Some of the surviving members of the teams that, under Pelé, were crowned at the World Cups in Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962 and Mexico in 1970, were not in a fit condition to participate. Mario Zagallo91 years or Robert Rivelino.

Few torcedores seemed to believe some ex-footballers, who said they failed to reach Santos in time. It was the case with cafu. “Unfortunately and with great regret I was unable to attend Pele’s funeral. I was on the other side of the world, working. My flights back to Brazil left right in the wee hours of Wednesday. I can only get to Brazil tomorrow,” she commented. “Does this change how I feel about Pele or what he represents to me and to football in general? Never!”.

Rivaldwho lives in the United States, gave a different explanation: “Even if he was in Brazil, I’m not sure he would have attended the funeral. I don’t like paying tribute to that moment. I’m not against anyone who does. I met Pele. I have been with him many times and had the opportunity to honor him during his lifetime.”.

They attended the last farewell Ze Roberto (with a brilliant past at Bayern Munich); Year (remembered for his time at Manchester City) e Paolo Roberto Falcao. All three have a connection to Santos. They were too was missing, Serginho Chulapa Y Clodoaldone of the survivors of Mexico 1970.

Romario Y ronaldoinstead, they just sent wreaths, as did all of Brazil’s first division clubs without exception.

Except in the case of Santos, few active Brazilian players or club officials attended. All the teams in the top category are in the preseason. The outrage of many fans grew after Flamengo decided to introduce their new coach Vitor Pereira at the same time as the procession with Pelé’s coffin, broadcast on national television, advanced through the city of Santos before the burial.

Local football officials have not suspended the activities of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, a youth tournament that attracts a lot of attention in the South American country.

A detail: not even the funeral of Mané Garrincha, held at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 1983, which was attended by many Brazilian footballers. The outstanding player won the World Cup twice.

Pele himself had repeatedly stated that he was too distraught to attend the funerals of friends or family. He was buried in the same cemetery where his father Dodinho and his brother Jair Arantes do Nascimento lie, at whose funeral O Rei did not even show up.

Source: AP